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The Celtic Way writer Anthony Haggerty believes that Vasilis Barkas will win the duel over Scott Bain to become the number one at Celtic Park for the upcoming season.

Barkas started Celtic’s Champions League draw with FC Midtjylland on Tuesday night and will be hoping that a string of good performances helps him to become a regular starter for Celtic.

Barkas played 22 games for Celtic last season in all competitions, keeping 11 clean sheets, with Bain making one more appearance (23), but keeping only eight clean sheets.

Whilst both are vying for the number one jersey at Celtic Park, the Scottish Sun reported last week that the Hoops want to take Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster on loan again, which would add further competition amongst the goalkeeping ranks at the club.

On the goalkeeping competition, Haggerty told FFC: “Ange Postecoglou is going to give him [Barkas] every opportunity to make him the right fit or make sure he’s the right fit and he’s given him that confidence by saying, ‘right, you’re my number one’, and I think he wins that duel over Scott Bain.

“But I think a lot of Celtic supporters would like another goalkeeper to come in.”

After both Barkas and Bain played virtually equal number of games last season, new manager Ange Postecoglou will want to establish who his number one is pretty quickly, allowing both his defence and shot-stopper to gel, creating consistency amongst the Celtic ranks.

Everton are reportedly eyeing a move for goalkeeper Neto in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Everton need back-up

Given that Robin Olsen was only on loan at the Goodison Park faithful in the 2020/21 season, the Merseyside club may need to look to bring in a back-up ‘keeper.

Promoting Joao Virginia to number two is also another option, but the new manager may want to bring in someone with more experience.

The Latest: Everton eye Neto

As per Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), the Toffees are ‘interested’ in signing Neto from FC Barcelona, whose future there is ‘uncertain’.

The La Liga giants want to keep him, but it looks as if he is heading through the exit door, as if he receives an offer from a team where he can have a ‘leading role’, he will ask Barca to let him leave.

Ronald Koeman’s team may not be able to ask for a big fee for Neto, given the financial impact of the global pandemic, and so the Blues may be able to sign him at a reasonable price.

The Verdict: Avoid

Given that he currently earns a whopping £105,000-per-week at the Nou Camp, and the fact that EFC are in the Premier League, Neto is likely to demand a sizeable wage if he were to join, which for a 31-year-old who may not start ahead of Jordan Pickford, is simply too much money.

There is no doubt that he has been a good player over the years, representing as many as three different teams in the UEFA Champions League (Barcelona, Juventus and Valencia), but given his high wages, his age and his desire to be a regular first-team player, it would be much better for Everton to either invest in another back-up option or to promote Virginia.

In other news, find out what comments from one Toffee on his future has fans fuming here!

Newcastle checked on Ozan Kabak last season, with the centre-back having joined Liverpool on loan back in the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Magpies could be set for a major revamp of their defence with a number of players finding themselves out of contract and potentially moved on to fund a rebuild.

And, according to The Shields Gazette, Steve Bruce’s side have made their checks on Kabak, with QPR’s Rob Dickie and Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer also those who have said to have been scouted.

Shades of Sergio Ramos

With Liverpool without the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Kabak was thrust straight into the deep end by Jurgen Klopp, but that certainly didn’t faze him, with the centre-back’s maturity something that has been previously lauded.

Thomas Hitzlersperger once commented: “It’s incredible how worldy-wise he is for his age. It’s astonishing. I see him every day and am amazed at how he mature he is.”

In fact, Klopp even revealed that Schalke boss David Wagner said “he would be a future captain”, while Arsenal’s former head of recruitment Sven Mislintat was equally effusive in his praise of the defender.

He told The Athletic: “I told Jurgen that he’s a top lad. Top mentality, top character, top aggression. He’s a (Dejan) Lovren-type player. Very good in the air, both defensively and in the opposition box.

“He played his best stuff for us (at Stuttgart). He hasn’t been able to show how good he is at Schalke. He still needs to learn but he has all the skills for Klopp to make a success of him.”

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That “aggression” and “character” means that it’s perhaps no surprise to see the Turkey international likened to Sergio Ramos, with Bundesliga.com writing:

“Kabak has a sound in-game radar and a deceptively quick turn of pace. Powerful in the air and with a great sense of timing, four of his six Bundesliga goals have been headers. He also comes complete with the same bite for which Real captain Ramos has become so well known.”

With Liverpool having decided not to take up their option to sign Kabak, the £22.5m-rated ace could well be a shrewd signing for the Magpies.

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce could create a formidable Newcastle duo by signing this “unique talent”…

Things just haven’t gone to plan for Steven Bergwijn since his £25m move to Tottenham Hotspur in January 2020.

The Dutch international got off to a dream start in North London, stunning Manchester City with an incredible volley to open the scoring on his Premier League debut.

Just after an hour, Bergwijn chested down a pass from Lucas Moura before rifling it home low into the bottom corner past a helpless Ederson. That would’ve given everyone an encouraging sign of what was to come.

However, since that moment, the 23-year-old has done very little and has quickly become a forgotten man down the pecking order. Big figures like Heung-min Son and Gareth Bale won’t have helped his cause but his form tailed off quite drastically.

In the five succeeding matches after the City win, Bergwijn found the net twice, in some massive games too, including a strike against Manchester United.

That was nearly a year ago.

Since then, he has added just the one goal in the Premier League, playing a total of 1,211 minutes.

The 5 foot 7 dynamo is one of several players who are facing uncertainty at the club right now, even more so without a manager – will the new man like him enough to start him more? or will he have other plans with his wing options?

Dele Alli is another who had faltered under Jose Mourinho.

One name linked to the Spurs vacancy is Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag and if he is successful in getting the job, then you’d imagine this would benefit Bergwijn more than most.

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According to The Athletic, the 51-year-old sits among a four-man shortlist for the role and is certainly not out of Daniel Levy’s reach despite recently signing a contract extension at the Eredivisie champions.

He fits the profile of the attack-minded coach that the Spurs chairman is dreaming of and is one that ticks another box, having developed many a young player into a first-team star.

A lot of his players have gone onto bigger and better things after being nurtured by the Dutchman, these include Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus) and Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), whilst names like David Neres and Ryan Gravenberch are ones to keep an eye on.

Ten Hag’s potential arrival in North London should certainly have a player like Bergwijn excited about what could happen, especially given his success with his fellow countryman and in his home nation, where he has won 73.7% of matches.

Ajax have even been linked with a move for Bergwijn in recent weeks, which suggests that the Spurs managerial target likes what he sees with the winger.

In the past, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has dubbed the Ajax supremo “one of the most exciting coaching talents in world football,” whilst former Celtic and Forest striker Pierre van Hooijdonk said his ability to progress players was “remarkable.”

On the above evidence, ten Hag could be exactly what the £45m-rated Bergwijn needs to get his Spurs career back on track.

At 23, he still has so much to give and the Dutch manager could be the one to get the best out of him.

AND in other news, Fresh twist emerges on Harry Kane’s future at Spurs, it’ll leave Daniel Levy seething…

Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos left the Spanish club earlier this week and having been linked with Manchester City in the past, sporting director Txiki Begiristain should sign him for Pep Guardiola’s side this summer.

After bringing an end to his 16-year spell with the La Liga giants, where he would win a plethora of honours including four Champions League titles and five La Liga titles, Manchester City have been named by ESPN as the front runners in the race for the Spanish centre-back this summer.

The report claims that whilst Real Madrid were unwilling to offer him a two-year deal to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, City could offer him a two-year deal to play under Guardiola at the Etihad.

Whilst Ramos is now 35-years-old, he would bring a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to the Citizens, which could prove vital if they are to end their hunt for success in the Champions League next season.

Although he would go off injured in the final against City, Chelsea’s signing of fellow veteran centre-back Thiago Silva proved to be a masterstroke this season and he more than earned his one-year contract extension recently, so perhaps Ramos could have a similar impact at the Etihad next season.

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Ramos missed much of last season through injury but emphasised his quality when he was on the pitch, averaging a solid 6.96 rating from WhoScored for his performances in La Liga, whilst his five appearances in the Champions League earned him an impressive 7.20 average rating.

Of course, City already have an impressive number of options at centre-back including Ruben Dias, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake but they could learn from Ramos’ immense experience should he arrive at the Etihad this summer.

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The Spain international has proven himself, again and again, to be “world-class” throughout his career and whilst his playing days might be coming to an end, he can still be a massive addition for City this summer both on and off the pitch, so Txiki Begiristain must consider bringing him in after his Real Madrid release.

And, in other news… Txiki must seal Man City swoop for “intelligent” beast after dazzling Euro display

According to The Sun, Daniel Levy is desperate to hire Brendan Rodgers as the new Tottenham manager, with the Leicester City boss even said to have always been Spurs’ first choice.

The Lowdown: Spurs continue manager search

Jose Mourinho are without a permanent manager after Jose Mourinho was sacked last month – Ryan Mason remains in interim charge.

As such, Levy continues to explore all possible options ahead of next season, with countless names linked with the role in the last few weeks.

The Latest: Levy wants Rodgers

It is now being reported that Levy and Spurs are eager to appoint Rodgers, who has always been their preferred choice for the job.

They are hoping that a Tottenham win against the Foxes this weekend will convince Rodgers to make the move to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, given that it would place both teams into the same European competition.

The Verdict: Aim high

Rodgers has done a fantastic job with Leicester. He led them to the first F.A Cup trophy in their history earlier this month as they beat Chelsea 1-0 in the final at Wembley, while they remain in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League going in to the final day of the Premier League campaign.

He has won eight trophies throughout his career, with seven coming at Celtic in his previous job. He was also on the verge of winning the Premier League with Liverpool in 2014 – quite frankly, he has more than enough credentials to be given the Tottenham job. A Spurs victory this Sunday could be crucial in more ways than one.

In other news, Levy planned for Harry Kane’s departure months ago.

Leeds United have been boosted in their attempts to sign Sampdoria centre-back Omar Colley, with the Serie A club needing to sell players this summer.

Marcelo Bielsa could be a busy man in the next transfer window, as the Argentine looks to continue adding to his squad.

The Whites are having a season to remember back in the Premier League, sitting ninth in the table and taking five points from their last three games, against Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United.

One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road is Colley, with the 25-time capped Gambia international impressing at the heart of Sampdoria’s defence.

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Sampdoria could sell Colley this summer

According to Club Doria 46, the Serie A side may have to sell key men this summer, due to financial problems, with 6 foot 4 monster Colley one of their three most prized assets.

The 28-year-old could cost Leeds around €10-€15 million [£8.7-£13million], which would allow Sampdoria to balance their books. This comes after transfer guru Nicolo Schira confirmed earlier this month that the Whites have enquired about the defender.

Transfer Tavern take

While Colley is clearly a player with undoubted pedigree given his experience both in Serie A and at international level, centre-back doesn’t feel like an area that needs strengthening at Leeds.

Bielsa already has Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk to call upon, so a fifth option in that area feels like overkill, especially when the financial implications of the pandemic could leave teams penny-pinching and being smart about which signings they go for this summer.

Leeds’ summer transfer kitty should be spent in other areas, such as left-back and in wide attacking positions, rather than on another central defender, a position they already boast a good mixture of experience, quality and youth.

In other news, one Leeds player has been compared to a true legend of the game. Find out who the individuals in question are here.

Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that moving to Elland Road and linking up with Marceloa Bielsa in the Premier League is the place to be amid interest in Ryan Kent.

The Sun are reporting that Bielsa is keen on signing the 24-year-old for the Whites this summer, and bringing him back to England in a potential £15m deal.

Rangers, of course, were just crowned Scottish Premiership champions and will have the chance to compete in the Champions League next season, perhaps giving Kent, who was described as a “wonderful player” by Jurgen Klopp back in 2018, a reason to stay at Ibrox.

Palmer, however, believes the chance to play in the Premier League is an opportunity that is too good to turn down.

When asked by FFC whether Leeds would be able to lure Kent away from Rangers, the ex-Leeds player said:

“Listen, Champions League or no Champions League, the place to play is in the Premier League. If he got the opportunity to go and play in the Premier League, I’m sure he’ll go and play in the Premier League.

“He’s got maybe an opportunity to play in the Premier League. For me, as a manager, as a player, the place to be now or the place to play is in the English Premier League.”

With Kent being a player rated highly by his manager Steven Gerrard, Rangers will be desperate to retain his services.

Earlier this season, the Gers boss tipped the English winger to reach new heights after starting the 2020/21 campaign strongly.

Everton’s season ended in the worst way possible last weekend as they were well and truly battered by the Premier League champions.Their defence was cut open like a knife through butter while they lacked cutting edge and penetration on the counter-attack.

What’s the word?

One way of improving their fluency in the final third would be to sign a winger.

Football FanCast revealed last month that the Toffees were in the market for somebody who could play on the right-hand side. However, we believe Everton should stop at nothing to bolster the other flank as well.

Fortunately, it looks as though they’ll be doing exactly that. Football League World report this week that Carlo Ancelotti’s men are battling for the signature of tricky Bournemouth flanker Arnaut Danjuma.

Everton are looking to take advantage of the south coast side’s failure to get promoted from the Championship.

A number of top-flight sides are now circling with Wolves, West Ham and Brighton also interested in Danjuma’s signature.

Iwobi upgrade

If Everton can lure the attacker to Goodison Park this summer then he’d represent a huge upgrade on Alex Iwobi.

The Nigerian signed for £28m in the summer of 2019 but his arrival on Merseyside hasn’t been greeted particularly positively.

On his day, he can frighten the opposition with his dribbling but very rarely does he combine that with end product.

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Iwobi has scored just twice this term, taking his tally in the royal blue of Everton to four strikes in 65 appearances.

Those numbers aren’t strong enough whatsoever for a side challenging for a place in European football so improvement is need.

Danjuma would provide Ancelotti with the ability to beat a man but also provide goals and assists.

The Dutchman was in inspired form for the Cherries this term, racking up a mightily impressive haul of 17 goals. Capable of playing anywhere across the front three, it was on the left where he truly stood out.

The 24-year-old was impressive when it came to creating chances for his teammates as well, providing eight assists in all competitions.

He claimed the award for the EFL Championship Player of the Month in April and has gone from strength to strength this season, particularly under Jonathan Woodgate.

With the former defender at the helm, Danjuma totted up ten goals and six assists in just 18 league outings.

It’s hardly a surprise that Woodgate’s found the time to wax lyrical about his abilities: “I know last season that he didn’t really get a run in the Premier League and he maybe found it a bit difficult to get game time, but this season he’s been outstanding.â€

The Bournemouth boss continued: “I can only talk of what he’s done under my reign, but at the minute, he’s playing some exceptional football, and what else he is doing is working for the team.â€

Capable of producing moments of magic from nowhere, he’s the type of player you’d always love to have in your team.

Against Norwich he showed exactly what he’s capable of, skipping past two Canaries players before rifling a bullet right into the top corner.

It showcased his scintillating dribbling skills too, an area of his game that usurps nearly every player at Everton. Danjuma managed 1.8 dribbles per game this season, a number that only Richarlison can replicate.

This would be a top drawer signing from Ancelotti and Marcel Brands.

AND in other news, Everton can begin the transfer window with a bang by signing “dangerous” 16-goal beast…

Celtic could release striker Leigh Griffiths over the coming months, according to The Scottish Sun.

The report suggests that the 30-year-old is waiting to hear from the Hoops regarding a potential 12-month extension.

Transfermarkt claim that Griffiths is already under contract until 2022, however, it seems that is not the case.

Aberdeen and Hibs keen on Griffiths

Celtic have until April 30th to activate the clause, which could be worth close to £1m.

If they decide against keeping Griffiths on, the forward could move to either Aberdeen or Hibernian for nothing, with both sides thought to be keen on the Scot.

Transfer Tavern take

Griffiths, on £15,000-a-week, has been a brilliant servant to the Hoops, with Alan Hutton describing him as ‘excellent’ earlier this month.

He’s made over 250 appearances, scored over 120 goals and registered more than 50 assists during his Parkhead career, winning seven league titles.

However, he’s fallen out of favour this season, featuring in just 794 minutes of action, so it could make sense to allow him to move on over the coming months.

In other news: ‘I can exclusively reveal’ – Huge claim on Howe to Celtic emerges after worrying update, find out more here.